As you know, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule became effective in 2010. Since that time, well over 100,000 firms have been lead-safe certified by EPA, and an additional 20,000 have been certified in twelve authorized states. Approximately 450,000 renovators have been trained by accredited training providers in lead-safe work practices. However, EPA recognizes that too many firms are still operating without the required certification, are not following lead-safe work practices and may be putting children and others at risk for lead exposure.

In November 2012, EPA announced 16 enforcement actions for violations of the RRP rule and EPA continues to conduct compliance monitoring inspections and outreach to protect children, and others, from exposure to lead dust that can cause lead poisoning. To increase lead safety and awareness of the regulation, on January 9, EPA began mailing a postcard to uncertified renovation contractors in target areas, including states that lack an EPA-authorized RRP program and have significant amounts of older housing. EPA’s goal is to remind these contractors of their obligation to become certified. In addition, EPA wants to level the playing field for those contractors who are already certified.

EPA has specifically targeted uncertified contractors for this mailing and made best efforts to exclude certified contractors. However, a small number of these postcards may inadvertently reach already-certified contractors. If your clients (already-certified firms) alert you that they have received this postcard, please convey EPA’s appreciation for their attention to this regulation and for their efforts to protect their clients and your community. They may disregard it or pass it on to their competitors who are not certified.

Lead-based paint inspection, risk assessment and abatement services are regulated differently than renovation, repair and painting jobs, even though, in some cases, the activities are similar.

Lead abatement projects are designed to permanently eliminate existing lead-based paint hazards, and may be ordered by a state or local government in response to a lead-poisoned child or other reason. Only trained and certified individuals may perform lead abatement.

Renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects are typically performed at the option of the property owner for aesthetic or other reasons, or as an interim control to minimize lead issues. It is not designed to permanently address lead-based paint. However, RRP projects can disturb lead-based paint in homes and buildings built before 1978 and cause lead hazards, even when none existed before. Therefore, they are also regulated and require certification. If you are seeking information on EPA’s rules requiring lead-safe renovation, repair and painting to prevent lead hazards see EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program page.